Still Playing Catch-Up, On Merck Executive Team News, From June: Mr. Guindo Returns To The Fold, After Five Years As A Biogen EVP...

He's been in the seat for almost a month now, but we were distracted by Amazon happenings. No more.

His return is a fantastic coup for Merck. He left in 2017, and took the role at Biogen likely due to the fact that Mr. Frazier had several executives ahead of him in mind for the next marketing lead. He likely also got a pay boost to go to Biogen (bigger fish; smaller pond). . . but now he's back, and right where he had hoped to be promoted to -- some five years ago.

Here are more of the details:

“. . .Chirfi is a purpose-driven leader, dedicated to saving and improving lives around the world. He has deep experience and a proven track record in strategy, marketing and commercialization across primary care, specialty care and rare diseases, in both developed and developing markets,” said CEO Rob Davis. “I am confident that our Human Health leaders, along with our entire Executive Team, will build on the strong momentum of our business as we deliver value to all our stakeholders, continue to address some of the most pressing medical challenges and make a positive and lasting impact on global health.”

As chief marketing officer for Human Health, Guindo will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of the company’s long-term strategy for the Human Health portfolio spanning oncology, vaccines, pharmaceutical and pipeline products.

Since 2017, Guindo has been executive vice president and head of global product strategy and commercialization at Biogen and served on Biogen’s executive leadership team. In this role, Guindo led global strategy, marketing and commercialization for Biogen’s neurology business. He also led the late-stage Product Development and Commercialization Teams, and oversaw corporate strategy and alliances, value and access, communications, policy, advocacy and corporate responsibility.

Before joining Biogen, Guindo began his Merck career in 1990 and spent more than 25 years in finance, sales, commercial and marketing roles of increasing responsibility in the U.S. and globally. He led global marketing for Merck’s HIV portfolio, and also led Merck’s Human Health businesses in Canada, the Netherlands and South Africa. . . .

A graduate of Ecole Centrale de Paris with a degree in engineering, he also holds a Master of Business Administration from New York University’s Stern School of Management. . . .

Now you know. Onward, smiling -- as we (at least for a bit) return the focus of this blog to its former roots, in the life sciences.

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